China accuses three US NSA agents of cyberattacks on Asian Winter Games

Chinese officials say three American intelligence officers targeted key infrastructure during Harbin’s February event.

Fireworks light up the sky over Harbin Ice and Snow World, a sub-venue for the opening ceremony of the 9th Asian Winter Games Harbin 2025, on February 7, 2025, in Harbin, Heilongjiang Province, China. Photo by Chi Shiyong/VCG

By Anna Fadiah and Hayu Andini

China accuses three US NSA agents of cyberattacks targeting the 9th Asian Winter Games held in Harbin this February, escalating tensions in the ongoing digital cold war between the world’s two largest economies. According to a statement released Tuesday by the Harbin Public Security Bureau, the alleged attacks were orchestrated by employees of the United States' National Security Agency (NSA), a charge that Washington has yet to officially address.

In its statement, Chinese officials said the cyberattacks were directed at the key information infrastructure that supported the Games, held in Harbin, Heilongjiang province, from February 7 to 14.

The three individuals named by Chinese authorities — Katheryn A. Wilson, Robert J. Snelling, and Stephen W. Johnson — were identified as working within the NSA’s Office of Tailored Access Operations, an elite cyberwarfare division known for penetrating foreign digital systems.

China’s cybersecurity agency claimed it detected more than 270,000 foreign-originated cyberattacks during the Games’ preparation and execution phases, with nearly two-thirds traced back to American IP addresses. The hacks, officials said, targeted sensitive systems including identity verification for attendees, information dissemination portals, card payment mechanisms, and even regional infrastructure supporting event logistics.

Cyber espionage allegations deepen rift in US-China relations

The Chinese foreign ministry echoed the police statement by accusing the United States of conducting a broad campaign of “malicious cyber behavior” against Chinese entities. Spokesman Lin Jian told reporters Tuesday that Beijing has raised the matter with Washington through various diplomatic channels.

“We urge the US to stop unwarranted smears and attacks against China,” Lin said, warning that China would take “necessary measures” to defend its cybersecurity and national interests.

The accusation that China accuses three US NSA agents of cyberattacks comes at a time when US-China relations are already strained over Taiwan, trade imbalances, and technological restrictions.

While the US Embassy in Beijing declined to comment on the accusation, American officials have in the past rejected similar allegations from Chinese sources, instead pointing to their own evidence of Chinese-sponsored hacking campaigns targeting American corporations, government networks, and research institutions.

Targets allegedly included Huawei and U.S. universities

The Harbin police claim the cyberattacks were not limited to Winter Games infrastructure. Their statement also pointed to the involvement of US intelligence officers in ongoing surveillance efforts against major Chinese companies, notably Huawei Technologies.

Huawei has long been in the crosshairs of US cybersecurity and foreign policy strategy, with Washington banning the company from accessing American-made semiconductors and urging allies to restrict Huawei’s participation in national 5G rollouts.

According to the Chinese authorities, this latest digital intrusion campaign also involved “coordinated activity” by research teams based at the University of California and Virginia Tech.

State-run news agency Xinhua published excerpts from what it called “preliminary findings” indicating that these institutions may have provided analytical support or tools that helped facilitate the cyber intrusions.

Rewards offered for tips on NSA personnel

The announcement that China accuses three US NSA agents of cyberattacks was followed by an unusual public appeal. Harbin police said they were offering a reward to anyone who could provide actionable intelligence on the three named individuals and assist in “the arrest or legal processing” of the accused.

The nature of the reward was not specified, but Chinese authorities have previously paid cash incentives for tip-offs on espionage-related activities.

Officials noted that those involved in such cases of state espionage could face life imprisonment or, in extreme cases, the death penalty — a reminder of China’s strict approach to national security and cyber sovereignty.

Broader campaign to control cyber narratives

This public accusation marks a significant moment in China’s digital security posture. In recent years, the Chinese government has dramatically ramped up efforts to police its digital borders.

In March, China’s Ministry of State Security disclosed that a former engineer had been sentenced to death for leaking military technology to a foreign power — a rare and severe punishment aimed at deterring future intelligence leaks.

Analysts say the timing of the new accusation — centered on the 9th Asian Winter Games — could also be strategic. Beijing is keen to project strength in the digital realm ahead of several international events, including the 2025 World Internet Conference.

Critics, however, warn that such public naming of foreign intelligence officers, especially without offering conclusive proof, may further erode trust between China and the United States.

“While it’s certainly plausible that the NSA targets high-profile Chinese events, the decision to name names feels political,” said Alexander Wu, a Beijing-based cybersecurity expert. “This isn’t just about retaliation — it’s about setting a tone for future confrontations.”

A new digital flashpoint

That China accuses three US NSA agents of cyberattacks reinforces a growing trend: cyber conflict is no longer confined to shadowy corners of the web. It’s playing out in headlines, at press briefings, and increasingly in courtrooms and legislatures.

Beijing’s accusation joins a global narrative where digital warfare is now a defining element of geopolitics. From Russian ransomware groups targeting U.S. hospitals to Israeli spyware deployed on journalists’ phones, and now to the alleged American sabotage of a major sporting event in China, the digital battlefield continues to expand.

Whether the three NSA agents ever face any consequences remains doubtful. Extradition from the United States is virtually impossible given the diplomatic sensitivities and lack of an extradition treaty between the two nations.

But for China, the point may not be to capture the individuals. Instead, it may be to shape the narrative, bolster internal cybersecurity measures, and rally public sentiment against what it sees as ongoing digital aggression by foreign powers.

As Beijing prepares for future global engagements and technological leadership, the message is clear: any foreign interference — online or off — will not go unanswered.